@tessw This looks GREAT! As far as putting it up on your site, I would think the text is fine but remove the gutter line. But then again I may be wrong about that. I just think it would look great without the division in it.

The AD at Random House who reviewed my portfolio said to leave out the gutter unless you're showing 2 pages together (like 2 illustrations). But having text is always AWESOME because it shows you understand what's needed for a book. If you can design the text well, that's even better.

Thanks for your help, everyone! What do you think? Any changes or additions?

Also, I have another question. I've started to think of a book idea for this character, but it's kind of based on superman and his powers. Like super speed, laser eyes to carve his pumpkins, broccoli kryptonite, "flying" on his trampoline, etc. That's kind of a no-no though, right? Because it would be a rip off of a copyrighted character. I'd probably have to change the costume and his powers?

That's kind of a no-no though, right? Because it would be a rip off of a copyrighted character.

Well, this can be tricky. I wonder if @Lee-White Might be thinking about a copyright/licenses/intellectual property lecture at any point.

Anyways, here's my feeling/understanding- yes you can use Superman as an inspiration. But definitely come up with your own character. Alter the costume, hair/skin color. Super strength is a common power, but maybe replace laser eyes with, like, invisibility. Things like that. See how much you CAN tweak without losing your story, because the more you change, the better. Before starting the story I would even sit down and go through the whole character design and development process to make sure you 1.) Have a clear paper trail for how you created and developed this character and 2.) have a solid character that feels clear and fleshed out in the story so you can't accidentally fall back on your original inspiration. :)

@tessw Firstly, great job! I'd remove the signature for the portfolio version. Your story concept is similar to the picture book, Good Morning Superman, by Michael Dahl and Omar Lozano. There is also, Bedtime for Batman. But you could design your own kid super hero. Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes would pretend to be, "Stupendous Man." To me the strength of your concept treatment is that you can explore any superpower as it relates to a kid's world. One more thing about your portfolio piece is to clean up the grammar. Instead of 'cause, use because. And just use a period instead of an exclamation point at the end of the last sentence. You'll be showing the piece potentially to some grammar sticklers so those are my suggestions for not calling negative attention to the text. Great job again and I hope you find a way to make your story idea work.

@smithdraws Thanks for your advice and for letting me know about those books. It looks like they've already executed a lot of the ideas I was brainstorming. Even if I were to change it to an original superhero, and have it be Halloween based, I'm afraid it would be to redundant.

Thanks everyone for helping me through this painting. I'll make some more tweaks and put it up in my portfolio thread.